To the Annual General Meeting of the Canada-China Business Council

Mr. Premier, we are honoured by your presence. Everyone here tonight is aware of the crucial responsibilities you have taken on in guiding the future of China. The challenges confronting your people are enormous. We admire your vision. And your clear determination to meet them squarely lives up to your well-earned reputation for action and results.

On behalf of the people of Canada, we wish you and your colleagues the greatest success in your work. For we recognize that your success is vital. Not only for the Chinese people but for the wider Asia Pacific community and, indeed, for the whole world.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the fifth CCBC Annual General Meeting that I have had the pleasure of addressing. And I want you to know that I plan to keep coming back for a long time. This is also the 20th anniversary of the Council. A fitting occasion, I think, to celebrate your achievements.

It is no accident that the Council was founded in 1978. It was that very year that China embarked on the great adventure of opening and reform. The Council has become a bridge between Chinese and Canadian corporations. And a great facilitator of government exchanges. Some 350 Canadian firms now have offices or investments in China. Many of them of small and medium size. And the numbers continue to grow.

The theme of this meeting is "Opportunity in Times of Change." But change is not always pleasant or easy. Real opportunities often challenge our courage and our imagination. And we cannot deny that these are difficult times for many of our partners in the Asia Pacific.

Fortunately, at this time, China has escaped the worst. In fact, China has taken a leading role in calming the contagion. Especially in her strong commitment to a stable currency.

This is critical for all of us.

Indeed, the leadership of China in these difficult and challenging times has driven home the fact that she is a truly global player. With global potential. And immense global responsibilities. In part, her transformation is being driven by extraordinary success as a producer of goods for the world. In part, it is a result of the same rapid advances in technology that are transforming all nations.

But mostly it is the result of the hard work and the hopes of the Chinese people themselves. Twenty years ago, they threw open their doors to new ideas, new institutions and new friendships. But even two decades later, the task for China in fully harnessing her enormous potential is huge. Along the way difficulties are and will be inevitable.

Canada has strongly supported the accession of China to the World Trade Organization. So we are naturally concerned by reports of measures that restrict market access.

We believe that the free and open expression of opposing views is not a threat to anyone or any nation. Indeed, our openness to new ideas has been essential to Canada's becoming the modern, prosperous nation it is today. In a spirit of friendship and understanding, we will continue to share our experiences and engage constructively with China.

A spirit that finds expression both in an eagerness to develop our economic relationship, and an abiding willingness to work in cooperation on the issues that separate us.

In this year alone, ten ministers of our government have visited China. To engage in meetings at the highest levels on issues of current and long-term importance to our two countries. Throughout, our consistent messages to our Chinese friends has been that Canada will stand by China as it continues its reforms.

Every day we are reaping the fruits of these efforts. Some significant successes for Council members and Canada have included:

We have to strengthen and broaden our cooperation and partnership to meet the challenges of the new century. Premier Zhu and I had the opportunity to discuss this yesterday and tonight.

We have agreed to pursue the following three goals over the next five years: first, to double direct investment in our two countries; second, to give a major boost to the number of small and medium sized firms that are doing business in our respective countries; and third, to lead Team China and Team Canada missions in the next few years. Beginning with Premier Zhu, who I hope will visit Canada next year.

But more important than any business deals are the human links between our countries. The thousands of people-to-people contacts that create understanding and dialogue. That promote international cooperation and security.

One example of the more than one million strong Chinese Canadian community, which plays a central role in the life of our country. In fact, Chinese is now the third most spoken language in Canada - after our official languages of English and French. A sign of just how vital and vibrant the Chinese Canadian community is.

I am proud that Canada today has outstanding Canadians of every walk of life, from business, to the professions, to academia, to government.

Raymond Chan, our Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific, is the first cabinet minister of Chinese origin in the government of a western nation. Raymond has been very active promoting Canada here in China. Visiting areas that a Canadian Minister has never before visited. Deepening the relations and understanding between our two countries.

He is here tonight along with Sophia Leung and Inky Mark, two other members of Parliament who were born in China. I might also note that Senator Pat Carney, who is also here, was also born in China. But I will leave it to her to tell you whether she is a Canadian of Chinese origin or a Chinese of Canadian origin.

Another important people-to-people link are the thousands of Chinese students who study at Canadian universities every year. There are no better ambassadors for our two countries than this very special alumni. I for one would like to see more Chinese students studying in Canada and more Canadians studying in China.

Ladies and gentlemen, twenty years ago, with courage and a firm resolve, China made a new beginning. In so doing, a people, a region and the world have been transformed - forever.

Like so many of the historic crossroads China has faced this century, Canada was there. As a friend and a partner. To lend a hand. To provide encouragement. And - as all good friends do from time to time - to discuss our differences openly and frankly. Not in a spirit of disrespect, but in the belief that such honesty makes real friendships stronger.

The growth and success of the Canada-China Business Council is a monument to the success of our partnership. And to the promise that the best is yet to come.